Historic Newspapers: Slavery & Abolition

THE ATHENIAN MERCURY, London, March 26, 1692  This was the very first of the "agony aunt" newspapers, a newspaper providing personal advice to its readers.
In creating this format of responding to… more

THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, January, 1735 

* The speech of a free negro - Moses Bon Saam

Without question the most noteworthy item is the speech by Moses Bon Saam, a free negro from Jamaica,… more

THE BOSTON WEEKLY NEWS-LETTER, "New England", April 10-17, 1740 

* Among the earliest of American newspapers to be had
* Ad for sale of a "healthy negro woman"

This very rare title was the first… more

GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, August, 1760 

* Battle of Quebec
* Slave insurrection in the West Indies
* Map of the war in Germany
* French and Indian War

A feature of this issue is the "French Account… more

THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, Jan. 12, 1765  The front page has reports headed: "America" including a note of boats in the Upper Lakes being destroyed by enemy Indians, etc. The back page has an… more

THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, Sept. 5, 1765  Pages 1 and 2 have reports headed: "America" with Charleston datelines. The first report is quite notable, as it is a very early reference to the… more

THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, September, 1766  One of the better items is a letter: "...from the Principal Merchants in London trading to the Colonies, to John Hancock, Esq., and the rest of the… more

THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, June 22, 1773

* Phillis Wheatley's London arrival
* Famous Woman servant turned poet

Certainly the most notable report is found on the back page, which… more

THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE London, September, 1773

* Phillis Wheatley poem & biography
* Famous Woman servant turned poet

  Near the back is a printing of a poem titled: "On Recollection" which… more

THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, Oct. 7, 1773  An extraordinary issue, as page 5 contains what might be the first periodical publication of one of Phillis Wheatley's poems, "On Imagination".
Wheatley

THE PENNSYLVANIA LEDGER, Philadelphia, Oct. 21, 1775

* Ethan Allen captured
* American Revolutionary War

The front page includes a letter: "To the King" which references the American… more

THE NEW ENGLAND CHRONICLE OR THE ESSEX GAZETTE, Cambridge, Nov. 16, 1775 

* Creation of Continental Currency 
* American Revolutionary War funding
* re. Battles of Lexington & Concord 

A… more

THE PENNSYLVANIA LEDGER, Philadelphia, Nov. 30, 1776 

* Rare Revolutionary War era title
* Tory issue from Pennsylvania
* Great year to have (1776)

(editor's copy) This was a decidedly Tory… more

THE PENNSYLVANIA LEDGER OR THE PHILADELPHIA MARKET-DAY ADVERTISER, February 14, 1778  

* Revolutionary War Tory original
* Rare Pro British issue from America

This was a strongly Tory… more

GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, October, 1780  

* Battle of Camden, South Carolina
* American Revolutionary War from the enemy

Inside has a lengthy & very detailed letter from Lord Cornwallis to Lord… more

THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, February, 1784 
Among the articles are: "Ancient Customs Elucidated--The Feast of Yule" "History of the Race of Gypsies Further Illustrated" which takes nearly 3… more

THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, August, 1784  

* HMS Resolution - Royal Navy
* Captain James Cook death
* Third Voyage - Hawaiian Islands

Certainly the most interesting content in this issue is the… more

THE COLUMBIAN MAGAZINE, Philadelphia, January, 1787  One of the more intriguing articles is: "Letters Relative to the Treatment of Capt. Asgill, while Prisoner in the American Army, being a full… more

THE COLUMBIAN MAGAZINE, Philadelphia, January, 1787  One of the more intriguing articles is: "Letters Relative to the Treatment of Capt. Asgill, while Prisoner in the American Army, being a full… more

THE COLUMBIAN MAGAZINE, Philadelphia, January, 1787  One of the more intriguing articles is: "Letters Relative to the Treatment of Capt. Asgill, while Prisoner in the American Army, being a full… more

THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE London, April, 1788 

* Botany Bay, Australia - Admiral Arthur Phillip
* Northern plantations act to discourage the slave trade

Within is a report concerning Commodore… more

THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, June 12, 1788  

* Slavery on the Island of Jamaica 
* Revisions to current slave laws 
* Still legal but with certain exceptions
* Early movement towards eventual… more

THE COLUMBIAN MAGAZINE, Philadelphia, August, 1788  This title has the honor of being the first successful American magazine, having begun in September, 1786 and lasting until December, 1792.
Among… more

THE LONDON CHRONICLE, November 15, 1788 Page 5 has nearly two columns with various reports from American regarding American Indians, as well as a brief article from New York from: "...The Society… more

THE DIARY, OR WOODFALL'S REGISTER, London, May 27, 1789  Beginning on page 2 and carrying over to page 2 is a report headed: "Slave Trade" from the House of Commons, taking over half a page in… more

THE MASSACHUSETTS MAGAZINE OR MONTHLY MUSEUM, Boston, September, 1789  

* President George Washington
* Benjamin Franklin

The first article takes over a full page and is titled: "Description of Charles

GAZETTE OF THE UNITED STATES, New York, Nov. 25, 1789  

* Benjamin Franklin re. slavery - slaves
* Newly elected President George Washington

It contains: An Address to the Public" by Benjamin… more

THE DIARY, OR WOODFALL'S REGISTER,  London, Feb. 22, 1790  

* Uncommon publication
* 18th century original

Various news reports from Europe. Over half of the back page is taken up with a… more

GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, March, 1790 

* Map of Canada, Hudson Bay & other portions of North America

Certainly the prime feature of this issue is the nice, attached fold-out map: "A Map… more

GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, March, 1790  Certainly the prime feature of this issue is the nice, attached fold-out map: "A Map showing the communication of the Lakes and the Rivers between Lake… more

THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London,  July, 1790 

* African slave trade
* William Wilberforce
* Indians massacred

Included is an interesting article on an: "Apparatus of Humanity" with a… more

THE GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London,  August, 1790  Included is: "Remarks on the Slave Trade Occasioned by Bruce's Travels". Near the back is a brief bit  noting: "The common council at Paris paid to… more

THE AMERICAN MUSEUM, Philadelphia, October, 1790  Articles include: "Remarks on Capital Punishment" "Sketch of the Nature & Causes of Diseases" "Short Account of Mr. McGillivray" who was the famous… more

GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, June, 1791  Taking nearly 2 pages is: "An Expository Address to the People of England on the Late Memorable Decision Against the Abolition of the Slave Trade". Among… more

COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, June 2, 1792

* 2nd - Second Militia Act of 1792 
* President George Washington signs
* Fort Lafayette - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
* Major General Anthony Wayne 

… more

GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, September, 1792  Inside has most of a column taken up with news headed: "America" which begins: "This country was never in so flourishing a state as at present; the… more

SUPPLEMENT TO DUNLAP'S AMERICAN DAILY ADVERTISER, Philadelphia, Nov. 14, 1792  This is a single sheet that is almost entirely taken up with advertisements that would not have fit in the "regular"… more

DUNLAP'S AMERICAN DAILY ADVERTISER, Philadelphia, Jan. 7, 1793

* Rare 18th century American title
* Runaway slave & bitch advertisements

The front page is filled with advertisements. News of… more

COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, May 17, 1794  

* President George Washington 
* French officer Louis de Tousard

The front page begins with an Act of Congress, giving a pension for life to Lt.… more

THE BALTIMORE DAILY INTELLIGENCER, Maryland, Oct. 22, 1794  

* Rare 18th century American publication

One of the less common American titles from the 18th century as it existed for just one year, from… more

DUNLAP & CLAYPOOLE'S AMERICAN DAILY ADVERTISER EXTRA, Philadelphia, Nov. 29, 1794

* 18th century runaway slave ad

A single sheet "Extra" edition. The front page taken up with ads with a… more

THOMAS'S MASSACHUSETTS SPY OR THE WORCESTER GAZETTE, Aug. 19, 1795  

* President George Washington
* Concerns over the Jay Treaty

Page 3 has the: "Answer" of the President  to the concerns of… more

FEDERAL GAZETTE & BALTIMORE DAILY ADVERTISER, May 4, 1796 

* Rare 18th century American title
* (2) slaves related advertisements
* Land for sale along the Potomac River

The full ftpg. is… more

FEDERAL GAZETTE & BALTIMORE DAILY ADVERTISER, Maryland, May 30, 1796  

* Bank of Baltimore, Maryland creation
* President George Washington letter

Much of pages 2 & 3 are taken up with; "An… more

FEDERAL GAZETTE & BALTIMORE DAILY ADVERTISER, Maryland, June 1, 1796  Much of page 2 is taken up with a report from Congress: "On motion for making provision for carrying into effect the treaty with… more

FEDERAL GAZETTE & BALTIMORE DAILY ADVERTISER, Maryland, June 3, 1796  Page 2 has reports from Congress including: "The bill for making appropriations for the support of the military and naval… more

FEDERAL GAZETTE & BALTIMORE DAILY ADVERTISER, Maryland, June 3, 1796  Page 2 has reports from Congress including: "The bill for making appropriations for the support of the military and naval… more

FEDERAL GAZETTE & BALTIMORE DAILY ADVERTISER, Maryland, June 4, 1796  The front page has an ad: "For Sale, A Healthy Negro Girl..." with details.
Pages 3 and 4 have more slave related ads headed:… more

FEDERAL GAZETTE & BALTIMORE DAILY ADVERTISER, Maryland, June 11, 1796  Much of pages 2 and 3 are taken up with reports from Congress concerning debates on the controversial Jay Treaty with England.
… more